The Birdcage Effect

Chapter 3

By the time the weekend has arrived, I'm relieved yet exhausted just thinking about all the homework I have to complete by Monday. I've always been a studious and diligent student so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to how much work I have to do, but nevertheless it doesn't make me feel any better acknowledging it. Although I often feel rundown and worn out, I know my parents want me to work at my very hardest because without adequate effort, only poor results are often produced. I'm in the middle of summarising some biology notes for class when my mothers voice distracts me.

"Atlanta, come downstairs!" She calls.

After walking downstairs, I'm met with her and my father who are both wearing very serious expressions on their faces.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Sit down, please." Instructs my father.

After staring blankly at them for what feels like hours but is really only seconds, my mother finally breaks the silence.

"Your father and I are getting a divorce." Admits my mother.

"What?" I immediately respond.

If I'm being perfectly honest, my mother and father should have had a divorce years ago. For whatever reason, they've decided to get one now and although the reality of it isn't too surprising, I still can't help the aching feeling within me from escaping, and soon enough I feel dreaded tears fill my eyes.

"Atlanta, don't look so upset...surely you had a hint that this was going to happen someday." My mother coldly says.

"You're right, I guess I just wasn't expecting it." I numbly reply while swiping away another tear.

"We thought it would be best to just let you know before things between your mother and I became anymore...intense." Explains my father with a certain kind of sincerity that my mother would never offer to show.

"That's the understatement of the century." I sarcastically mumble before it's too late.

"You better watch your tone young lady. If you had any sense you would be thanking your father and I for even exposing you to this kind of information, after all, the last thing you need is a distraction from your studies." Remarks my mother.

"Veronica, just let the poor girl process this would you. It couldn't be easy for her knowing that after sixteen years of marriage her parents are getting a divorce." Defends my father.

"Oh quit your nonsense Gregory for goodness sake! The girl needs to hear the cold, hard truth. Atlanta, listen to what I'm about to tell you and listen good. Under no circumstances will you allow your fathers and my decision about ending our marriage interfere with your schoolwork. I will not be held responsible for any wrongdoings you make in your future so from this moment forward let know if I have not made myself clear enough when I tell you that all you need to focus on is achieving excellent grades so that you can eventually get into university. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." I quietly answer before leaving the room.

As I make my way back upstairs and into my bedroom, I can't stop the river of tears that are making their way down my face. It's heartbreaking to accept the fact that my parents are actually going through with this divorce, but what's more is the fact that I'm not in anyway allowed to let it affect me. That concept on its own is baffling and unrealistic but I know if I don't listen to my mothers advice it would only cause more problems for me. Without a second thought, I wipe the remaining tears from under my eyes before resuming to summarise my biology notes. I'm just about to pick up my pen when my phone vibrates from besides my desk. I hold it in my hand before swiping right to unlock it. A small red notification informs me that I have one unread text in my messages. As I click to reveal who it is, I thank my lucky stars for providing me with a distraction so large that for a second it almost makes me forget that after today I will no longer have a family to belong to.

Hey Atlanta, did we have any history homework?

I smile at Stephen's words for a brief second, before frowning at them the very next. Did we have any history homework? I suddenly couldn't remember, not with all the pressure and drama of what had occurred only minutes ago downstairs.

I'm not sure.

Really? You don't strike me as the type to not know when homework is or isn't due.

His response makes me angry for some reason and before I can think better of it, I type out an annoyed response.

Well I guess you don't know me at all then.

I turn off my phone after pressing send and throw myself onto my bed covers, where I bury my face in between my soft pillows. I cry and cry until I can't cry anymore and then I fall asleep wearing my clothes and all, feeling nothing more then emptiness and abandonment consume me.